Spalding United beat Halesowen Town in the Southern League Premier Division Central

Spalding gained ground in the race for promotion after a home victory over Halesowen Town on Saturday.

The Tulips ran out 2-0 winners in the Southern League Premier Division Central clash at the Sir Halley Stewart ground.

It was a rapid return to winning ways for Jimmy Dean's side who triumphed thanks to first half goals from Bart Cybulski and Mani Sani.

Kieron Freeman and Liam Moore both returned to the Spalding line-up after missing last weekend's defeat at Banbury United.

They came in for James Clifton and Lamine Sherif who were joined on the substitutes' bench by newcomer Jason Law who has arrived on loan from National League North side Scunthorpe United.

The reversal at Banbury had brought an end to Spalding's 11-match unbeaten run and they came out determined to bounce back to winning ways.

It needed a fine save from Aaron Chapman though to prevent the Yeltz from taking an early advantage as top scorer Kieren Donnelly fired in a shot which the home goalkeeper superbly repelled at point blank range.

Spalding responded and visiting custodian Daniel Platt was down smartly to keep out a low strike from Cybulski before the Tulips took a 26th minute lead.

Sani and Dion Sembie-Ferris linked well to create an opening for Cybulski who, after initially being crowded out, showed great determination to win back possession before driving home a low finish past Platt.

It looked to have been enough to give Spalding a first half advantage in a keenly-contested opening period but they doubled their lead just before the break.

Freeman played in Joe Nyahwema whose effort was blocked on the line by Reece Mitchell but Sani reacted first to slam home the rebound.

Freeman then stung the palms of Platt in first half stoppage time with a well-struck shot from outside the area which was turned to safety.

Halesowen made two changes at the break in a bid to get back into the game and Ryan Wollacott saw a back post effort safely held by Chapman from Conor Tee's free-kick.

Platt palmed away a fierce cross-shot from Sembie-Ferris at his near post before Spalding suffered a double attacking injury setback.

They lost talisman Cybulski after a collision with Halesowen's Ryan Wynter and then shortly after Sani was unable to continue due to injury.

Halesowen looked to take advantage and Tee curled a shot just wide while Chapman was swiftly off his line to block a shot from Mitchell.

Tee then collected a short corner and Spalding were forced to scramble clear from his cross before Chapman failed to claim the next set piece which sparked another melee where Spalding got enough bodies in the way to block before hitting the ball to safety.

Halesowen continued to look for an opening but a hard-working Spalding side defended stoically and were determined not to let their lead slip with Chapman producing another superb stop deep into injury time to keep a deserved clean sheet

Tulips: Chapman, Walker, Fox, Moore, Cartwright, Lawlor, Sembie-Ferris (Leshabela, Freeman (Law), Cybulski (Clifton), Sani (Sherif), Nyahwema (Chettle).

Attendance: 516.